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Christmas Season · First Sunday after Christmas Day · Year B

Isaiah 61:10–62:3

The Year of the Lord’s Favor

December 27, 2026

The Beloved (The Bride), Dante Gabriel Rossetti
The Beloved (The Bride), Dante Gabriel Rossetti, 1865–1866Tate Britain, London
Rossetti's bride at the centre surrounded by attendants of deliberately varied complexion, with a Song of Songs verse inscribed on the frame.I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with jewels.Dante Gabriel RossettiA founder of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, and a poet as much as a painter, who worked mostly from a small circle of women he knew.Tate Britain, LondonThe national collection of British art from 1500, on Millbank, including the Turner Bequest of nearly thirty thousand works the artist left to the nation.Tate Britain, London
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelLuke 2:22-40Lk 2:22-40
EpistleGal. 4:4-7Gal 4:4-7
Old TestamentIsa. 61:10–62:3Is 61:10–62:3
PsalterPs. 148Ps 148

Overview & Insights

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.” (Isaiah 61:1)

Chapters 61 and 62 recapitulate much of chapter 60, but they do so in a new framework. They offer five responses to those promises. Whereas the prophet’s word was a brisk preliminary to Yahweh’s word in 59:21–60:22, in chapters 61–62 the prophet speaks a number of times in a way that has significance in its own right but also introduces recapitulations of the promises.

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Take it further: Isaiah 61:10–62:3

Commentary

Isaiah 61:10-62:3Is 61:10-62:3 Working Preacher

A commentary on the hymn of thanksgiving and the garments of salvation, and why the lectionary pairs this song with Christmas.

Isaiah 61:10-62:3Is 61:10-62:3 Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed reading on rejoicing clothed in righteousness and God's determined vindication of Zion.

Isaiah 61Is 61 Word on Fire · Bishop Barron

A Catholic scripture resource situating the anointed-one oracle within salvation history and its fulfillment in Christ.

Isaiah 61Is 61 Enduring Word · David Guzik

An evangelical verse-by-verse treatment of the jubilee proclamation and the bridal imagery that opens the reading.

Classic commentaries on Isaiah 61Classic commentaries on Is 61 BibleHub

A classic aggregator gathering historic commentators on the garments of salvation and the robe of righteousness.

Background & Word Study

Isaiah 61 in Hebrew, with Jewish commentaryIs 61 in Hebrew, with Jewish commentary Sefaria

The Hebrew text alongside classical Jewish commentators, essential for hearing this passage within its own tradition.

Isaiah and WorkIs and Work Theology of Work

Explores Isaiah's vision of restoration, righteousness and vocation, connecting the prophet's promises to everyday labor and justice.

The Church Fathers

Isaiah 61, patristic commentaryIs 61, patristic commentary Catena

A chain of patristic comment showing how the early church read the anointing and the year of the Lord's favor.

Questions preachers ask

Why does Isaiah 61 belong to Advent?

It is the anointed servant's mandate, good news to the poor, liberty to captives, the year of the Lord's favor, the very words Jesus reads of himself in the synagogue at Nazareth.

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